The campaign “The system should work so that it does not corrupt” has been launched within the project “Strengthened Integrity Systems for Combating Corruption at the Local Level”
The educational campaign aims to inform the public about the importance of citizen involvement in the fight against corruption and conflict of interest, but also to motivate citizens to report corruption. The involvement of citizens in this daily struggle is key to tackling the negative consequences of corruption and conflict of interest. The negative consequences are numerous: corruption slows down economic development, undermines institutions and the rule of law, creates inequality of citizens, reduces citizens’ trust in the system.
When we talk about corruption, traditional communication approaches often cause the audience frustration, cynicism, powerlessness, distrust of institutions and the system, and even defeatism. This campaign, therefore, aims to contribute to changing the narrative of corruption and conflict of interest, i.e. changing the view that corruption cannot be eradicated or that state authorities will not act on reported corruption. In general, the campaign will try to inspire citizens to see the problem of corruption and conflict of interest from a different angle: the institutions in North Macedonia will work in the interest of the citizens, only if the citizens actively ask the institutions to complete their work in a timely and legal manner.
About the project “Strengthened Integrity Systems for Combating Corruption at the Local Level”
The project ” Strengthened Integrity Systems for Combating Corruption at the Local Level” is implemented by the Foundation Open Society – Macedonia within the USAID Civic Engagement Project, implemented by the East-West Management Institute, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The project is implemented in five municipalities: Dojran. Ohrid, Prilep, Zelino and Karpos for the period from 1 March 1 2020 to 31 March 2021.
The project aims to contribute to the promotion of good governance at the local level by strengthening the resistance of the local government to corruption and conflict of interests and through (1) the introduction of integrity systems in five municipalities; and (2) increasing civic engagement in the fight against corruption and conflict of interest, especially of vulnerable categories of citizens, by increasing the volume of reported cases, and by providing legal aid and information.
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11 March 2021